Coin-controlled change-making vending apparatus



Jan. 27, 1942. I H. N. M DERMOT-T 2,271,397

COIN-CONTROLLED CHANGE-MAKING VENDING APPARATUS Filed July 29, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet l a /4/ ma 4 I46 3 Jan. 27, 1942. H. N. M DERMOTT COIN-CONTROLLED CHANGE-MAKING VENDING APPARATUS Filed July 29, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 gin/0mm H JV. M flarmazi Jan. 27, 1942. H. N. M DERMOTT 2,271,397

COIN-CONTROLLED CHANGE-MAKING VENDING APPARATUS Filed July 29, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 mwmm Jan. 27, 1942. H. N. MODERMOTT 2,271,397

' COIN-CONTROLLED CHANGE-MAKING VENDING APPARATUS Filed July 29, 1941 -5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Jan. 27, 1942 I UNITED STATE s PATENT OFFICE COIN-CONTROLLED CHANGE-MAKING VENDING APPARATUS Application July 29, 1941, Serial No. 404,550

11 Claims;

This invention is a coin-controlled change-i making vending apparatus.

The general object of the invention is to provide a machine adapted to be operatively connected to any type of vending apparatus and designed for the insertion of a coin or combination of coins of va'ue equal to or in excess of the price of the vended commodity, which upon the insertion of such coin or coins actuates a vending device to deliver the commodity, and if the value of the inserted coin or coins is more than the price of the commodity, releases the exact change.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a change-making machine embodying the principles of the subject invention but characterized by the absence of vendor deviceactuation,

and set to release change in the exact aggregate value of the inserted coin or coins.

Other objects of the invention will appear as a preferred and practical embodiment of the invention proceeds,

In the drawings which accompany and form a part of the following specification, and throughout the several figures of which the same characters of reference have been employedto designate identical parts:

'Figure 1 is a front elevation of the vending and.

change-making machine; I

Figure 2 is a horizontal section taken along the line 2-! of Figure 1, looking up;

Figure 3 is a verticalsection taken along line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a horizontal section taken along the line 4-4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a vertical section taken along the line 5-5 of Figure 1;

Figure 6is a horizontal section taken along the line 66 of Figure 1;

Figure 7 is a vertical section through the coin chute, coin tube and 4 nickel pay-off slide;

Figure 8 is a vertical elevation of one side of the :the accumulator;

Figure 9 is a vertical elevation of the opposite side;

Figure 10 is a verticalend elevation of the accumulator;

for vending and making change for a five cent article, the purchaser has the choice of inserting eitherflve pennies, one nickel, one dime, one quarter or one half dollar. Therefore, .the top 1 of the cabinet 2 which houses the mechanism of the apparatus has flve money slots 3, l, 5, 6,

and 1, best shown in Figure 2, sized to take coins of these respective denominations.

Upon insertion, the coins pass through slug detectors 8, one for each coin slot, which are of conventional construction, and therefore, shown only diagrammatically. Slugs are ejected by the slug detectors inknown manner and drop through the central passage 9 into the change receptacle 28", where they are kept segregated closing switches controlling electrical circuits which operate the change-making, mechanism where change is to be made, and which actuate the vending mechanism.

Since four pennies must pass through the penny chute ll, Figure 3, without closing the vending device actuating circuit, which is closed by the fifth "penny, whileone coin" only passes into each of the other chutes l2, l3, I4 and IS, the switch construction in the penny chute is different from the switch construction of the other chutes, and for the other chutes it is similar or identical, as will Presently appear.

Pennies, dimes and half dollars are never paid out; pennies, because change for a flve cent item is always in multiples of five; dimes, because theyare too thin to assure accuracy in the pay-out; and half dollars, because they represent the capacity limit of the machine as illustrated, and the maximum change paid out will be Therefore, when pennies, dimes and half dollars discharge from thegriepresentative chutes ll,

- overlies the flared mouth l| of a passage II, dis- Figure 11 is a perspective view of the coin chute Q which by way of illustration depict a machine charging into the money drawer by way of the deflector l9. I

In Figure 5, the dime chute I3 is shown dischargingv into an inclined pan 20, which also empties into the flared mouth of the passage ll. Figure 3 shows that the half dollar chute l5 overlies an inclined pan II which discharges into the passage 18. y i

Paid out change is therefore-limited to coins of the nickel and quarter denominations, and coin tubes are therefore provided for accumulating the nickelsand quarters discharging from the respective nickel and quarter chutes l2 and I4.

Inasmuch as one nickel is paid out for an inserted dime, and four nickels for an inserted quarter, it is preferred to have two nickel coin tubes, one for paying out a group of four nickels, and the other a single nickel. In Figure 5, the nickel chute I2 is shown in relation to a pair of nickel coin tubes 22 and 23, the upper ends of which communicate with a nickel pan 24. The nickel chute 2 is directly over the nickel coin tube 22. At the bottom of this tube is a four nickel pay-off slide 25 having a hole 26 of the same diameter as the interior of the nickel coin tube 22, and of the thickness of four nickels, so that when the four nickel pay-oil slide-moves out of registry with the nickel coin tube 22 it cuts off four nickels from the bottom of the stack of nickels accumulated in said coin tube.

When the four nickel pay-off slide moves to the position shown in Figure 7, the hole 26 comes in registry with the discharge aperture 21, the four nickels therein contained discharging through said aperture, through the funnel 21' shown in Figures 3 and 5 into the change receptacle 28' which opens outwardly on the front of the cabinet and from which the purchaser picks 'up his change. i

When the nickel coin tube 22 has become filled, any further nickels discharging from the chute l2 overflow into the inclined pan 24 and into the nickel coin tube 23, the bottom of which communicates with a hole in the single nickel pay-off slide 25 which is'of the thickness of a single nickel and which, therefore, cuts oil! one nickel from the bottom of the stack in the nickel coin tube 23, discharging the same through the funnel 21 and into the change receptacle 22'.

Referring now to the quarter chute l4 shown in Figure 3, this discharges into an inclined pan 2!, the bottom of which communicates with the top of the quarter coin tube 35 and being of the thickness of a single quarter whereby when it article- In the Same movement y which moves out of registry with the quarter coin tube it cuts a single quarter from the bottom of the stack of quarters in said coin tube and discharges it through the funnel 21 and into the change receptacle 25'.

When both nickel coin tubes 22 and 23 are full, any excess nickels falling into the pan 24 discharge from the open lower end 3| of said pan into the passage 18 and down into the money drawer into the pan 29 until the quarter coin tube 33 is full, slide into the pan 2| and drop through the passage l8 into the money drawer.

The electrical instrumentalities and circuits therefor by means of which the functions of the machine are performed are shown, in part structurally and in part diagrammatically, in Figure 12, which represents a machine for vending a five cent article of merchandise. The

penny chute H has an opening 32 in its lower end, through which projects the blades of a normally open switch 33. These blades intersect the passage through said switch and are so delicate that they turn aside under the weight of a penny, permitting the latter to be discharged from said chute without detention. When a penny first strikes the switch, it brings the switch contacts together, closing a circuit through the solenoid 34 of an accumulator. The accumulator is shown in detail in Figures 8, 9 and 10, and will now be described. It consists of a frame 35, on which is suitably mounted the solenoid 34. The armature of said solenoid is a pivoted escapement 35, the teeth 31 and 33 of which control the step by step movement of an I6. Any excess quarters falling 55 and no article is vended.

escapement wheel 39 fixed to a shaft 40. The escapement wheel is biased to move in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 8, by a coil spring 4| fixedly anchored to the frame at one end and winding partially around the hub 42 of the escapement wheel, being anchored at its opposite end to the latter. The teeth of the escapement wheel have an abrupt shoulder facing in the unwinding direction, and a sloping shoulder facing in the winding direction of said wheel. Normally, when the solenoid 34 is deenergized, the escapement is kept pressed against the escapement wheel, to prevent unwinding of the latter, by means of a spring 43. Each time the switch 33 is closed by the passage of a penny through the penny chute, the solenoid 34 is energized to cause the escapement to permit the unwinding movement of the escapement wheel and shaft 40 the distance of one step, that is,

one tooth of the escapement wheel. On the opposite end of the shaft 40 is an arm 44 which at each unwinding step of the escapement wheel advances successively to engage the contacts 45, 45, 41 and 48.

The arm 44 is in circuit with the battery or other electrical source 49 through a wire 50, but in. the five cent vending machine the contacts 45, 45, 41, 43 are blind contacts, that is to say, they are not connected to any circuit, so that nothing-happens upon the successive insertion of the first four pennies, excepting that the arm 44 moves successively along the series of contacts 45 to 53. When the fifth penny is inserted, the arm 44 moves to the contact 5|, which as shown is connected by the wire 52 through the solenoid 53 and back to the electrical source. The solenoid 53, when energized, moves a lever or equivalent device 54 which operates the vending device, causing it to discharge the purchased lever 54 actuates the vending device, it also closes a relay switch 55 which closes a circuit through the solenoid 56, the armature 51 of which is pivotally connected to the arm 44 and returns the arm to its original repose position, breaking the circuit through the solenoid 53 and permitting the release movement of the lever 54 which actuates the vending device. Obviously, no change is given, since the five pennies necessary to actuate the vending device are the exact price of the vended article. If the purchaser inserts less than five pennies and no more, no circuit is closed except the momentary closure of the solenoid 34 circuit for the passage of each penny, If more than five pennies, but less than ten are successively inserted, an article would be vended for the insertion of th fifth penny, but inserted pennies beyond that number will simply fall into the 00 money drawer. If ten pennies are inserted. one

that it is not necessary to provide any lost motion at the pivotal connection between the armature 51 and the arm 44.

The same type of accumulator can be used for articles of difierent price. For example, fora three cent article the wire 52 would be connected to the contacts 41. However, for any article other than a five cent article the change pay-oil circuits would be different from those shown in 7 Figure 12, which are peculiarly adapted for making change for a five cent article.

' of a single coin, they are all alike. Each, for example, has an open side 55 conironted'by a switch 54, the blades of which converge toward the opposite or closed side of the switch. The blade 52 of the switch 54 which lies adjacent the open side of the chute is suiliciently delicate to be pressed into contact with the companion blade 53, through the weight or the inserted coin, but the blade 63 is so stiff that it does not yield to the weight of the coin but detains the coin in the chute until released. The switch 5. is pivotally mounted at the point 64 and is held in normal coin-retaining position by the armature 55 of a release solenoid 55, said armature as shown, serving for a plurality-of switches and 'being biased into coin-retaining position by means of the springs 51. As shown, the nickel and dime chutes are controlled by the same armature 55 and the switches 54 of both chutes are simultaneously actuated by said armature. The

same relationship exists between thearmature I half dollar chutes l4 and I5.-

ture as to move to the right under the urge of the spring 61, restores the switch 60 to its normal position, as shown.

The principle of the invention is that 'the change is first discharged before the vending device is actuated, so that the purchaser cannot be heard to say that he received the article butdid not get the change.

The circuits associated with the quarter chute I 3 are similar in arrangement and mode of operation to those appurtenant to the dime chute [3, but the circuits contrelled by the insertion of a half dollar are somewhat difierent because the change from a half doll r must be, paid out from two pay-ofis, the quart and the four nickel pay-oils. :Referring-now to the ha dollar'chute [5, the insertion of the coin closes the switch 60 associated with said chute, closi the circuit through Now, advel'fing to the nickelxchute 12, it is obvious that there will be no change pay-oi! in connection with this chute. A nickel is inserted in the chute which presses the switch blade 52 against the switch blade 53, closing a circuit from the source and by way of the wire 58' through switch 55 closed by the movement of the lever of the wire 59 throughthe release solenoid .66, energizing it and drawing back the armature 65, which in turn draws back the pivoted switchifl, permitting the nickel to be discharged from the chute l2. As has been already explained in reference to Figure 5, when the. nickel drops from chute l2, it falls into the four nickel pay-oi! 22, or if that tube is already full it gravitates along the inclined pan 24 into the one nickel pay-oil tube 23, and if both or the nickel pay-oft tubes are full, it discharges from the pan 24 down the passage l8 into the money drawer.

Now, referring to the dime chute 13, it is obvious that a nickel will be paid out in change. The insertion of a dime closes the switch 60, the dime being temporarily retained in the chute. The closed circuit energizes the solenoid II, the armatur H of which is connected tothe one nickel pay-ofi slide 28, causing said slide to draw one nickel from the bottom of the stack in the one nickel pay-oii tube and to drop the nickel through the funnel 21 into the change receptacle 28'. The'pay-ofi slide 28 carries a projection I2 open, breaking, the circuit through thesolenoid ll so that the one nickel pay-01f slide returns to its normal position with its nickel hole in registry beneath the stack of coins in the one nickel pay-ofi tube. The return of the pay-oi! slide opens the switch 13, breaking the circuit through the solenoid 53, returning the vending device lever 54 to-normal position, opening the switch 55, de-

' energizing the solenoid 5i and causing the armathe solenoid 16, which operates the quarter payoil slide 3|. When thispay-ofl slide moves, discharging a quarter into the change receptacle 25' it at the same time closes the switch 15 by means of the projection ll, carried by said slide.

The switch 15, whenactuated, closes a circuit through the solenoid 18 of the four nickel payoil slide 25, moving the latter to discharge four nickels into the change receptacle 28' and at the said slide to close the switch 14, closing a circuitfthrough the solenoid as, whichoperates the vending device lever 54. When the switch 55 is 85. 54, closing a release circuit which passesjby' way Qciosed by themovement of the lever 54, it closes acircuit through the-wires 59 and 80 to the solenoid 8|, which draws the armature 68 leftward against, the tension of the spring 82, rocking both of the switch 50 associated respectively with thequarter and half dollar chute, releasing the coin opens the switch of the halt dollar chute,

coin in the half dollar chute which gravitates to the-money drawer It. The eifacement of this de-energizing solenoid 16, causing the return of the quarter pay-oil slide 3| to normalposition,

' the withdrawal of'the projection TI from the switch I5, opening the latter, breaking the circuit through the solenoid 18, permitting the return of the four nickel pay-off slide to normal position particularly described for all combinations of ourrency which would normally be used in a machine of half dollar capacity for vending a five cent item. y

In Figure 13 the coin-controlled change-makingand vending device operating apparatus of the subject invention is shown adapted for an article of merchandise priced 22, in which the following combinations of coins may be inserted by the purchaser:

Two dimes and two pennies.

Four nickels and two pennies.

One dime, two nickels, and two pennies. Five nickels. I

One dime and three nickels.

Two dimes and one nickel.

Three dimes.

One quarter.

One half dollar.

The first three combinations each add to the the second dime.

exact price of the commodity and so there will be no change pay-oflf.

For five nickels inserted, or one dime and three nickels, or two dimes and one nickel, or one quarter, there is a three cent pay-oi! for each. For three dimes inserted there is a nickel payofi, plus three pennies, and for a half dollar inserted there is a change pay-oil of one quarter, one nickel and three pennies. 7

It will be observed that for any of the combinations the change pay-offs are either three penny, one nickel, or one quarter items, and consequently, a pay-oil coin tube is required for each of these denominations but not for the dimes or half dollars, which are never paid out of the machine, but fail directly into the money drawer. Figure 13 shows the three cent coin tube 83 with the three cent pay-oil. slide 34 having a thickness of three pennies, the one nickel coin tube 85 having the pay-oil slide 3 equal to the thickness of a single nickel and the quarter coin tube 81 having the quarter payoil slide 88.

It will be noted from the above tabulation of possible combinations of inserted coins that a plurality, of pennies, a plurality of nickels or a plurality of dimes figures in one or more of the combinations but that no more than one quarter or one half dollar is ever inserted. Wherever more than one coin of the same denomination is inserted, a coin chute and accumulator is used similar to the penny chute and accumulator employed in the live cent item machine. Consequently coin chutes of this type are provided for the penny, nickel and dime slots, said coin chutes and the switches appurtenant thereto being designated by the respective reference characters H and 33. As only one quarter or one half dollar is ever inserted in payment for a twenty-two cent item, the coin chutes for the quarter and half dollar slots are similar to the quarter and half dollar coin chutes shown in Figure 12 and are designated accordingly with the respective reference characters II and I and the associated switches by the reference character 60. v

The circuit sequences will now be traced, referring to the simpler combinations of inserted coins in which there is no change pay-oil:

Two dimes and two pennies The purchaser inserts the first dime in the dime chute II, which falls through into the money drawer, closing the switch 33 in transit. This closes a circuit through the solenoid 39 of the accumulator 90, moving the arm SI from its zero position, as shown, to the first contact 32. This closes a circuit through the arm 3|, contact 92, wire 93 through both solenoids A and B and back to the current source. Parenthetically, it may be here stated that there are a number of combinations of inserted coins in which a dime figures, and when the purchaser inserts one dime the machine cannot foretell what the succeeding inserted coins will be, and therefore, must activate such circuits and instrumentalities as may be useful in any one of the combinaticms in which a dime plays a part. In this particular combination it is not useful that the solenoids A and B shall be activated, and consequently. as will now appear, the circuits through said solenoids will be broken upon the insertion of When the second dime is inserted it drops through the dime chute ll, again acid 88 and moving the arm from the first contact 92 to the second contact 94. This breaks the circuit through the solenoids A and B and closes a circuit through the arm 9|, contact 94,

wire 35, through relay C to the current source. Relay 0, being energized, pulls the contacts of the switch 96 together, but there is as yet no current passing through the circuit of said switch.

m The purchaser next inserts the first penny in the penny chute II, which in passing therethrough closes the penny switch 33, energizing the solenoid 91 of the penny accumulator, moving the arm 98 from its zero position to the first contact which is a dead contact, since where pennies form part of the combination of inserted coins, two pennies are always inserted. The purchaser then inserts the second penny, which again closes the switch 33, energizing solenoid 31, moving the arm 98 to the second contact 93. This closes a circuit through the wire Ill, through the closed contacts of the switch 33 through the vender solenoid IM actuating the armature I02 of said solenoid and rocking the vending device lever 54 which actuates the vending device.

It does not make any difference whether the purchaser first inserts the pennies or the dimes. We have traced the sequences where the dimes are inserted first. In case the pennies are first inserted, current will be supplied to the circuit through the wire illlLbut the contacts of the switch 93 will be open. When the dimes are inserted, the solenoid C will be actuated, drawing together the contacts of the charged switch it in the course of its vending device actuating movement, the lever it strikes the release switch Four nickels and two pennies The purchaser inserts the first nickel in the nickel slot, which passes through the nickel chute II to the nickel coin tube 35. In passing through the nickel chute l l, it closes the switch 33, energizing the solenoid llll of the nickel accumulator Ill, moving the arm I09 from zero position to the first contact H0, closing a circuit through the solenoid B. This is not a useful circuit in this particular combination. The second nickel inserted again closes the switch 33, moving the arm I to the second contact ill, breaking the circuit to the solenoid B and closing a circuit through the wire H2 to the switch H3, the contacts of which are at present open. This also is not a useful circuit in the present combination. The third nickel inserted again closes the switch 33, moving the arm I09 to the third contact 4, breaking the circuit to the switch 3 and closing a circuit to the switch M5, the contacts of which are open. The fourth nickel inserted, again closes the switch 33, moving the arm I" to the fourth contact 6, breaking the last mentioned circuit and closing a circuit through the solenoid C. This solenoid, energized, draws the contacts of the penny switch 96 together, but there closing the switch 33, again energizing the sole- 1 is no current in the penny circuit. The purchaser then inserts two pennies in succession in.

the penny chute II, which moves the arm 90 over to contact 99, closing the circuit through the closed penny switch, energizing the vendor solenoid I and operating the vending device lever 54. The release circuits. closed by the actuation of the release switch I03 by the lever 54 are the same as described in connection with two dimes and two pennies, including the energization of the nickel release solenoid I I9, which restores the arm I09 or the nickel accumulator to its zero position.

One dime, two nickels and two pennies The purchaser inserts a single dime which passes through the dime chute II, closing the switch 33, energizing the solenoid 89-01 thedlme.

accumulator, moving the arm 9| to the contact 92, closing the circuit through the wire 93 tothe solenoids A and B. This is a useful circuit in this combination. The purchaser then inserts two nickels successively in the nickel slot. Each, passing through the nickel chute II closes the switch 33 energizing thesolenoid I01, the secwhich passing through the penny chute impart successive closures to the penny chuteswitch 33, placing the arm 98 upon the' contact 99, closing a circuit throughthe closed penny switch 96 and operating the vendor solenoid IN. The release circuit activated by the movement of the lever 54 is the same as previously described, involving the energization of each oi? the release solenoids I05, H9, and I05, restoring the arms .of all of the accumulators to their zero positions, and by breaking the penny circuit through the switch 96, de-energizes the vendor solenoid IOI, restoring the lever 54 to its repose state.

Now, referring tothe combinations which have a pay-off V 4 Five nickels The fifth nickel passing through the nickel chute II energizes the solenoid I01 to put the nickel accumulator arm I09 on the flith contact I", closing a circuit through the wire 9 to-the solenoid I20 of the three cent pay-oiI slide 94, actuating said slide to cut oiI three pennies from the bottom of the stack in the coin tube 93 and to discharge them into the change receptacle 29'. In this movement of the pay-oil slide 84 the projection I2I carried thereby closes the switch I22, 7

closing'a circuit through the wire I23 and the wire I00 through the vendor solenoid I0 I actuating the vending device leve'r'54. Closure of the release switch I03 by the lever 54 energizes the solenoid II9, restoring the arm I09 to zero position, breaking the circuit through the solenoid I20 and permitting the return of the three penny pay-oflf slide 84 to normal position, opening the switch I22 and de-energizing the vendor solenoid III, permitting the return of the lever 54 to normal repose state. I

One dime and three nickels The dime passing through the chute II closes the switch 33, moving the arm 9I to contact 92, closing a circuit which energizes both solenoids A and B. The'passage oi the three nickels those previously described.

into the change receptacle.

through the nickel chute I I closes the switch 33 three times, moving the arm I09 to the contact II4, closing a circuit through the switch II5 whose contacts were brought together bythe energization oi the solenoid B. This circuit energizes the solenoid I20, operating the three penny pay-ofi slide 94 to discharge three pennies into the change receptacle 28'. Movement of the three penny pay-oi! slide 84 closes the switch I22, energizing the vendor solenoid MI and operating the vending device lever 54. The release circuit closed through the switch I03 by the movement of the lever 54 against said switch energizes the release solenoids I05 and II9 of the'respective dime and nickel accumulators, restoring the respectives arms 9| and I09 to their zero'position, breaking the circuit through the solenoid. I20 of the three penny pay-off slide, restoring the latter to its normal position and permitting the switch I22 to open, which -de-energizes the vendor solenoid IOI releasing the lever 54- and open: ing the switch I03.

Two dimes and one nickel Two dimes passing through thedime chute II actuate the switch 33 to place the ar1r'1'9I on the contact 94, closing a circuit to the switch, II5 whose contacts are as yet open. The insertion of the nickel in thenickel slot and its passage through the nickel chut II actuatesthe switch 33 to place the arm I09 on the first contact IIO of .thenickel accumulator, closing a circuit through the solenoid B which draws the contacts of the switch I I5 together, closing a circuit through the solenoid I20 of the three penny payofi, operating the three penny pay-oflf slide, which in turn causes energization ofthe vendor solenoid IOI and operation of the vendin device lever 54. The release sequences are similar to One quarter An inserted quarter drops into the quarter chute I4, itsweightlbringing the blade 62 of the switch "into contact with the blade 63. The

quarter is retained in the chute I4. The circuit closed by the switch energizes the solenoid I20 of the three penny pay-oil? slide, actuating the latter and discharging three cents change Movement of the three penny pay-oiI slide 94 closes the switch I22 through the instrumentality of the projection I 2| carried by the three penny pay-off slide, closing a circuit through the vendor solenoid IOI, operoverflows said quarter tube, dropping into themoney drawer. Release of the quarter opens the its contacts of said switch, de-energizing the solenoid I20, permitting the three penny pay-oil slide 84 to return to its normal position, and permitting the switch I22 to open, which-de-energizes the vendor solenoid IOI, causing'the' lever 54 to return to its repose position, opening. the release switch I 03. The breaking oiE the circuit controlled by the release switch de-energizes the solenoid I25, permitting thearmature I26 to move to the right, as viewed in Figure 13, restoring the pivoted switch '60'toits normal repose position.

y Y Three dimes V When three dimes are deposited, the third actuation of the switch 33 of the dimes chute II places the arm 9i on the contact I21, closing a circuit through the wire I20, which energizes the solenoid I23 01 the nickel pay-oi! slide 05, operating the latter to discharge a single nickel into the change receptacle 28'. The projection I30 carried by the nickel pay-on slide closes the switch I3I, thereby closing a circuit through the wire I32, which energizes the solenoid I 20 of the three penny pay-01f slide 04, operating this slide to discharge three pennies into the change receptacle. The movement of the three penny pay-off slide 04 causes the projection I2I to close the switch I22, energizing the vendor solenoid I 0| and operating the lever 54 which actuates the vending device. The release circuit closed by the switch I03, when the latter is actuated by the lever 54, restores the arm SI to its zero position, breaking the circuit through the solenoid I20 of the nickel pay-off slide 00, permitting the return movement of said slide, withdrawing the projection I30 .from the switch I3I, causing the latter to open, breaking the circuit through the solenoid I20 of the three penny pay-of! slide 04,

permitting the latter to return to its repose position in which the projection I2I withdraws from the switch I22, letting the latter open, breaking the circuit through the vendor solenoid IOI, permitting the lever 54 to move to its repose position out oi! contact with the switchv I03, opening the latter and breaking the release circuit.

One 'half dollar When a fifty centpiece is deposited it lands in the half dollar chute I5, closing the switch 50 associated with said chute, closing a circuit through the wire I33, energizing the-solenoid I34 of the quarter pay-oil? slide 00, actuating the latter to drop a quarter into the change receptacle. In this movement of the quarter pay-oil slide 00, the projection I35 carried thereby closes the switch I30, which completes a circuit through the wires I31 and I32 to the solenoid I20 of the three penny pay-ofi slide 04, actuating the latter to drop three pennies into the change receptacle 20'. Movement of the three penny pay-oi! slide 04 causes the switch I22 to close, energizing the vendor solenoid I M to operate the lever 54 of the vending device. The closure of the switch I03 by the lever 54 completes a circuit through the solenoid I25, actuating the armature I25 to rock the switch 60 of the chute I5, releasing the half dollar which drops into the money drawer and the release or which opens the switch 00. The opening of said switch breaks the circuit through the solenoid I34, permitting return of the quarter pay-ofif slide 83 to normal position, thereby opening the switch I35 which breaks the circuit to the solenoid I20 of the three penny D y-0i! slide 04, permitting the return of said slide to normal position, thereby opening the switch I22, which deenergizes the vendor solenoid IOI, permitting the movement of the lever 54 to normal position and thereby opening the switch I03 which de-energizes the solenoid I25, permitting the armature I25 to move to the right, restoring the switch 00 of the half dollar chute to its normal position, as shown.

Referring once again to the five cent item machine, shown in Figures 1 to 12, inclusive, and particularly to Figures 1, 2, 3, and 5, provision is made for closing certain of the coin slots automatically when the coins in any of the coin pay-on tubes become depleted to the extent that changes can- I not be made.

ing eyes I43 fixedly surrounding the rod I and secured thereto. Said plate is operatively related to the penny, dime and nickel slots. A plate I44 is likewise fixed both to the rods I4! and I40, said plate being operatively related to the half dollar and quarter slots. Said pistes are so shaped that when the rod MI is moved toward the left, as viewed in Figure 2, the plate I42 obscures a portion'of the dime slot, while the plate I44obscures a portion of the quarter and half dollar slots so that coins cannot be inserted in the slots so restricted. The plate I42 is so shaped and positioned that in the range of its movement it does not obscure either the penny or nickel slot. This is so because even it ther is no change in the pay-oi! tubes a purchaser by inserting five through a solenoid I having an armature I45 normally biased away from said solenoid by a spring I41. The armature I45 has an extensim I40 engageable with a projection I40 on the rod I. When the solenoid 1451s energized, re

. sponsive to depletion of coins in a change pay-0R tube, the attraction of the armature I45 causes the extension I40'to contact the projection I40 and move the rod I4I leftward, moving the plates I42 and I44 into slot occluding position 0n the op ite side the rod I40 is operated by an armature I51 0! a solenoid I53 energized when coins are replenished in the pay-oi! coin tubes following depletion, which pulls the plates I42 and I44intheoppositedirectiontoreopenthe coin slots. The solenoids I45 and I50 are automatically activated by the coin responsive means associatedwitheach oithecointubes andshown inFigures3and5. Saidmeanaasshowmare identical, each of a lever I50 pivoted at an intermediate point I5I over-balanced by a weight I52, so that its lower end I53 projects inwardly through a slot I54in the coin tubeintersectingtheboreoi'saidcointube. Whenenough ooins'are in the tube to-make'change for the vendeditemthecoinskeepthelowerendflo! the lever pressed outwardly against the urge of the weight I52. Normally open switches I55 and I50 are in operative proximity to the weight I52, sothatwhenthecoinsinthetubearedepieted totheextentthat theypermittheincin-sionot thelowerend I53intotheboreol'thecolntube, the weight I52 dep the upper limb of the switch I55, bringing the contacts together and energizing the soleniod I45. When the contents of the coin tube have been replenished to the extentthatthelowerendoithelever I50isforced outwardly,the contacts oi the switch I55 open, de-energizing the solenoid I45. At the same time the weighted outer end of the lever I50 is forced upwardly, bringing together the contacts of the switch I50, energizing the solenoid I50 whose armature pulls the rod I40 and with it the plates I42 and I44 into unobstructive podtion with respect to the coin slots.

Itwillbeapparenttooneskilledintheart the former, during the period of coin depletion,-

and'in the case of the latter while there are coins in the coin tubes, that the current would continuously traverse the winding of the respective solenoids, overheating them, with the chance of burning them out. To prevent this, the armature of each solenoid is associated with a switch in the circuit of said solenoid, which switches are moved to open the respective circuits by said solenoids in performing their plate moving function.

Referring to Figure 14, it will be observed that the circuit which energizes the solenoid I45 includes a switch I60 having an arm I6I engaging the contact I62 for closing said circuit when the armature I46 is in its release position. Likewise,

a switch I63 has an arm I64 adapted to engage a contact I65but being out of engagement with said contact when the switch I60'is closed. In the positions of parts shown in Figure 14 in which theswitch I59 is closed and the slot occluding plates have beenmoved to release posi-. tion through the energization of solenoidl58, the circuit through said solenoid is broken through the immediate opening of the switch I64. By the same movement of the rods I and I 4| the switch I60 has closed, preparing the circuit through the solenoid I to be energized upon the closure of the switch I55. the switches I60 and I63 each constitutes a second gap in the respective circuits in which the f switches I55 and I59 constitute primary gaps, the secondary gap being ,open gap is closed. I

It will be obvious that the machine canbe adjusted to vend and pay of! change for any priced commodity, simply by selecting the proper pay-oil? coin tubes and change pay-off slides of appropriate thickness therefor, and byproviding an accumulator operating coin. chute and switchfor each coin slot wherein a plurality of coins of the same denominations may be inserted for any'of the coin combinations which can be employed in covering the price of the. article tobe vended.

The machine of the subject invention is not a vending device, but is primarily a change-making apparatus with facilities, the lever 54, adapting it to be applied to the actuation ofa vending device of any type and priced commodity.

The lever 54, as has been explained, has another function than that of vendor operation,

inasmuch as by its actuation ofthe switch 55- in Figures 12 and switch I03 in Figure 13, it releases the parts and restores the circuits to their original position and state following the sequences of operation set in motion by the insertion of a coin or coins.

The apparatus is therefore a complete operative device in the absence of an associated vendor, adapted to function" as a change-making machine simply by selecting such typeofcoin chutes and the arrangement of pay-off units,'as will make change for a zero priced commodity. i

While I have in the above description dis closed what I believe to be a preferred and practical embodiment of the invention, it will be understood to those skilled in the art that the specific details of construction and arrangement of parts as shown and described are by way of example and not to be construed as determining. the scope of the invention which is set out in the appended claims.

V In short,

while the primary What I claimas my invention is: i.

1. Coin-controlled vendor change-making apparatus responding to the insertion of a plurality of coins of aggregate value equal to. or exceeding the price of the vended commodity and. in which the change delivered is equal to the value of the inserted coins less the price, of the commodity, and in which a number of combinations of inserted coins are eligible including single coins of different denominations each greater than the price of the comm0dity,-

and one or more groups of coins, the coins of a group being of the same denomination, said apparatus having a coin slot for each denomination of coin present in the several combinations, coin chute units one for each slot, said units being of different types, one type for the slots'receiving a plurality of coins of the same denomination, the other for the slots which receive a single coin, each plural coin unit comprising a chute allowing continuous through passage of the coins, a switch in the path of the coins operated independently by each coin in passage, and a multicontact relay switch,,each multi-contact switch comprising a series of contacts, a switch arm movable step by step intosuccessive engagement operating said pay-oi! device, a plurality of groups of circuit closing instrumentalities, each group consisting of a switch and a solenoid for,

closing said switch, the switch'of the first group I being in circuitwith the' solenoid of 'the vendor actuating member and with a contact of one of the multi-contact switches, the solenoid of said group being in one or more alternative circuits including a contact or contacts of respectively, one or more of the multi-contact switches, the circuits of said switch and solenoid of said group including such multi-switch, contacts as areclosed device, the switch of the second group being in circuit with the solenoid of the first group. and the solenoid of the second group being in alter-' native circuits which include such contacts of a plurality of the multi-contact switches as are respectively closed by coins of diiferent denominations whose aggregate value is the same as the aggregate value of the coins which activate any of the, alternate circuits which directly include the solenoid of the first group, whereby the circuit is closed through the solenoid of the vendor operating member by the'insertion of coins in three of the coin slots, of aggregate value equal to the price of the commodity, the" switch of the third group being in circuit with the solenoid of the pay-oi! device, and with contacts of certain of the multi-contact switches, and the solenoid of said third group being in one or more alternative circuits including a contact or contacts'of one onmore of the multi-contact switches, the circuits of the switch and solenoid of the third group inchiding such multi-switch contacts as are closedby the insertion of coins in the plural coin slots having an ate value in excess of the price of the commodity whereby the payoff device is actuated, and a switch inch-cuit actuating and I with the solenoid of the vendor operating member closed by said pay-ofldcvice responsive to its change dispensing movement, the single coin slot units comprising one or a series of chutes, in which a coin or coins is detained and a switch associated with each chute, closed by said coin or coins during its period of detention, the chute switch of the first unit of said series being in circuit with the solenoid of said pay-oft device, other solenoid actuated pay-oil devices in said series each actuated by a single coin detained in any of the respective coin slots and each pay-oi! device when actuated closing a circuitlthrough a solenoid or the solenoids of the pay-o1! devices of lower denominations in said series, including the first pay-oi! device whose movement 'clnsa the circuit which actuates the vendor operating member.

2. Coin-controlled vendor actuating and change-making apparatus as claimed in claim 1, including a solenoid for each multi-contact relay switch operatively connected to the movable arm thereof for restoring said arm to zero position when energized, and a release switch actuated by said vendor operating member, said solenoids being in circuit with said release switch.

3. Coin-controlled vendor actuating and change-making apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the switches associated with the single coin chutes constitute thecoin-detaining means, said switches being pivotally mounted to swing as a whole, a solenoid having an armature connected to said switches, said armature being spring-biased to hold said switches in coin-detaining position, said switches each having a blade-carried contact moved into switch closing position by the weight of a coin in the chute, a release switch actuated by said vendor operating member in circuits with the solenoids of mid single coin chute switches for energizing said solenoids upon actuation of said vendor operating member to swing said switches to coin-releasing position, thereby opening said switches, said circuit being broken by the opening of said release switch upon the return of the vendor operating member to its normal inactive thereby permitting return of the single coin chute switches to normal open coin-detaining position.

4. Coin-controlled vendor actuating and change-making apparatus responding to the insertion of a plurality of coins of agg egate value equal to or exceeding the price of the vended commodity and in which the change delivered is equal to the value of the inserted coins les the price of the commodity, a cabinet, coin slots at the topof said cabinet sized for different denominations of coin, coin tubes in coin receptive position with respect to such slots receiving coins of denominations which figure in the change pay-01f, a 'money compartment in the lower part of said cabinet in position to directly receive coins of denominations which are' not involved in the change pay-off, also the overflow coins from the'coin tubes at least one of said coin tubes having a slot in its lower portion, and a switch having an element biased to extend through said slot into said coin tube, but excluded from said tube by the presence of coins therein, said switch being closed when said element is so extended, a slot occluding member for slots receiving coins of denominations involved in the change pay-01f, a solenoid for operating said member, in circuit with said switch for blocking said slots upon depletion 'of change payoif coins in said coin tube.

5. Coin-controlled vendor actuating and change making apparatus responding to the inserticn of a plurality of coins of aggregate value equal to or" exceeding the price of the vended commodity and in which the change delivered is equal to the value of the inserted coins less the price of the commodity, and in which a number or combinations of inserted coins 'are eligible including single coins of different denominations each greater than the price of the commodity, and one or more groups of coins, the coins of a group being of the same denomination, said apparatus having a coin slot for each denomination of coin tin the several combinations sized Imthe several denominations, coin tubes in coin receptive relation to each of the slots which are sized for denominations figuring in the change pay-oil, and in the case where the denomination is such that the unit of pay-off may be alternatively one or a plurality of coins of that denomination, a plurality of coin tubes in receplive relation to that slot, one filled by overflow Iran the other, change pay-oil slides beneath each coin tube having coin holes registering with sail coin tubes and of the thickness of the change pay-oil unit from the respective tubes, means actuated by the insertion of a coin or coins of value exceeding the price of the vended commodity for actuating one or more of said slides to displace the latter to transfer the proper payoil unit or units to a discharge point, a change receptacle into which the change pay-off coins are a vendor operating element actuated responsive to the movement of a change pay-oi! slide, and a money receiver receiving coins from slots having no coin tubes and overflow coins from said coin tubes.

6. 0oin-controlled vendor actuating and change-making apparatus responding to the insertion of a plurality of coins of aggregate value equal to or exceeding the price of the vended commodity and in which the change delivered is equal to the value of the inserted coins less the mice of the commodity, and in which a number at cunbinations of inserted coins are eligible including single coins of different denominations.

each greater than the price of the commodity,

and one or more groups of coins, the coins of a group being of the same denomination, said apparatus having, a coin slot for each denomination of coin present in the several combinations, coin chute units for each slot, said units being of dilfermt types, one type for the slots receiving a plurality oi. coins of the same denomination, the other for the slots which receive a single coin, each plural coin unit comprising a chute allowing continuousthrough passage of the coins, a switch in the path of the coins operated independently by each coin in passage, and a multiemtact relay switch comprising a frame, a series of contacts on said frame adapted to be connected into circuits efiecting the vending and change pay-oil functions of the apparatus, a shaft, a ratchet wheel on .said shaft, a spring for rotating said shaft .in one direction, an t meshing with said ratchet wheel to impart a step by step rotation to said shaft under the urge of said spring, a solenoid in circuit with the corresponding chute switch for operating said escapement, a switch arm on said shaft making step by step engagement with the contacts of said series, and a solenoid operated arm In mid shaft for restoring said switch arm to zero position with respect to said series of con- 1 facts. 1

7, Coin-controlled vendor actuating and change-making apparatus responding to the insertion of a plurality of coins of aggregate value equal to or exceeding the price of the vended commodity and in which the change delivered is equal to the value of the insertedcoins less the price of the commodity, and in which a number of combinations of inserted coins are eligible including single coins of different denominations each greater than the price of the commodity, and one or more groups of coins, the coins of a group being of the same denomination, said apparatus having a coin slot for each denomination of coin present in the several combinations, coin chute units one for each slot, said units being of different types,

one type for the slots receiving a plurality of coins of contacts carried by said frame adapted to be connected inmircuitseffecting the vending and change pay-off functions of the apparatus, a shaft, a ratchet wheel on said shaft, a spring for rotating said shaft in one direction, an escapement meshing with said ratchet wheel to impart a step by step rotation of said shaft under the urge of said spring, a solenoid in circuit with the correspondng chute switch for operating said escapement, a switch armon said shaft making step by step engagement with the contacts of said series, change pay-oif means actuated by a circuit established through engagement of said switch arm with a contact of said series, a vendor operating member actuated coin-selectively by said pay-off means or directly through said multi-contact relay switch, a release arm on said shaft, a release solenoid for actuating said release arm for restoring said. switch arm to zero position with respect to said series of contacts, and a release circult including said release solenoid and a normally open switch engaged by said vendor operatingmechanism when actuated.

8. Coin-controlled vendor actuating and change-making apparatus responding to the insertion of a plurality of coins of aggregate value to orexceeding the price of the vended commod- -ity and in which the change delivered is equal to the value of the inserted coins less the price i of the commodity, and in which a number of combinations of inserted coins are eligible-including single coins of difierent denominations and a plurality of coins of a single denomination,

said machine having a coin slot for each denom-,

ination of coin present in the several combina- I tact relay switch having an arm engageable successively step by step with each of a series of contacts, one step for each actuation of said chute switch, a solenoid actuated vendor operating member in a circuit closed when the arm of the relay switch engages that contact reached responsive to the insertion of the final coin of like denomination into said plural coin chute,

, c a each single coin unit comprising a chute in which the coin is detained, and an associated switch closed by said coin during its period of detention, a vendor operating member, with actuating solenoid therefor, said solenoid being in circuits closed responsive to the coin actuation of the respective chute switches, change pay-ofi coin tubes in coin receptive relation to certain-coin chutes, solenoid. actuated change pay-offs operatively associated withthe'respective coin tubes, whose solenoids are in circuit with the respective chute switches, said vendor operating member being directly operated by the switch or switches of the chute or chutes receiving: the exact price of the commodity, there being a gap in each vendor operating member solenoid circuit associated with the chute switches controlling pay-offs, closed by the change paying movements of the respective pay-offs.

9. Coin-controlled vendor actuating and change making'apparatus comprising a change pay-oil? device including an operating solenoid therefor, a coin actuated switch in circuit with said solenoid, a vendor operating member including an operating solenoid, a switch in circuit with said-last named solenoid and operated by saidpay-01f device, when actuated, for energizing said last named solenoid thereby actuating said vendor operating member.

10. Coin-controlled change-making apparatus responding to the insertion of a plurality of coins of different denomination in which a number of combinations of inserted coins are eligible, including single coins of difieient denominations and/or a plurality of coins of a single denomination, said apparatus having a coin slot for each denomination, coin chute units one for each slot, said units being of different type, one type for such slots as receive a plurality of coins of 'the same denomination, the other for such slots as receive a single coin, each plural coin unit comprising a chute allowing continuous through passage of the coins, a switch in the path of the coins operated independently by each coin in passage, and a multi-contact relay switch, each multi-contact switch comprising a series of contacts, a switch arm movable step by step into successive engagement with said contacts, an operating solenoid for each switch arm in circuit with the, corresponding chute switch for advancing the switch arm a one-contact step for each closing of said switch, a release solenoid operatively connected to said arm for restoring it to zero position, said single coin units each comprising a chute associated with a respective single coin slot and a pivoted switch in said chute nor mally positioned to detain a coin in said chute until said switch is moved out of the path of said coin, said switch having a movable blade yielding under weight of a coin for closing said switch,

a solenoid having an armature operatively conin parallel circuits with said multi-contact switch and with switches closed by the movements of sa d pay-oi! slides, a circuit including the release solenoid of said multi-contact switch, the solenoids of said pivoted switches, and the solenoids of said pay-ofi slides, and a switch closed by said lever when its operating solenoid is energized, and means biasing said lever to permit said last named switch to open when the operating solenoid of said lever is de-energized, restoring said multi-contact switch to zero position, permitting said ivoted switches to return to coin-detaining position, and permittingsaid pay-01f slides to return to their positions of repose beneath said coin tubes.

11. Coin-controlled change-making apparatus comprising a cabinet having a plurality of slots sized to-receive coins of different denominations, coin collecting change pay-ofi tubes in coin receiving position with respect to slots of denominations which figure in the pay-off, the lower portions of said coin tubes being provided with slots, an oscillatable lever for each slot having a portion biased to extend through said slot when the coin tube is empty, but being displaced from tures connected to said plate for moving it in opposite directions, switches on opposite sides of that end of said lever opposite to the portion which intrudes within the slot in said coin tube,

said switches being in circuit with the respective solenoids and an electric source, and being alternately closed by the oscillation of said lever to alternately energize said solenoids, and a switch in the circuit of each solenoid opened by the movement of the armature of said solenoid upon the energization of said solenoid, one of said last named switches being open while the other is closed.

, HOWARD N. MCDERMOTT. 

